PROPOSALS for a radical update of Jewson’s timber yard in Cranleigh have been given the green light by Waverley’s planners.

The scheme is similar to plans that were originally approved more than two years ago, but the company was spurred to produce a slightly amended design after an arson attack last July.

More than £100,000 worth of damage was caused in the huge blaze, though the efforts of around 40 firefighters restricted the destruction to the roof of the yard’s open timber store, along with much of its contents, and a lorry.

The original planning permission, none of which had been implemented at the time of the still unsolved arson, was for the replacement of the dilapidated timber building fronting Guildford Road with a modern single-storey sales area.

It also included the extension, cladding and enclosure of the timber store.

The main difference with the latest proposal is that the new sales area, which also includes an office and mess facilities, will be located a further 3.5 metres away from the adjacent East View Cottages to avoid a culvert.

It will be linked to the warehouse through a new storage area. Jewson’s say the new buildings will be constructed using up-to-date methods and will meet the recommendations of the fire officers.

The company has also said that work will start as soon as it received planning permission.

Cranleigh Parish Council, which objected to the original scheme, did not oppose the amended proposals, though some members were still concerned over the design of the sales building.

However, it did attract four letters of objection from local residents, with fears that the site will be a continuing fire hazard a major concern.

There were also concerns about noise pollution and calls for new buildings to be located further away from neighbouring homes.

Some of the residents’ concerns, including a letter refering to earlier fires, were picked up at the meeting of Waverley’s development management committee. Cllr Penny Marriott asked: “Is there some reason why this building keeps burning down, something in the design of it that is not particularly good?”

Senior planning officer, Brian Titmuss, told the meeting: “It might be something to do with the fact that it’s an open building at the present time, but will be more secure with the proposal, where it will be enclosed.”

Given the situation surrounding the construction of a block of flats on the site of Cranleigh’s former cinema, on the other side of East View Lane, not strictly in accordance with the plans, Cllr Richard Gates was keen to ensure that the replacement timber store was not located any closer to the homes.

“Even a metre to me would be completely unacceptable,” he said, before being informed that the location of the building would be as approved under the original refurbishment scheme.

Concerns were also expressed about the potential risk to the public if excavation on the site revealed any contamination, but the meeting was told there was no proposed change of use of the site so there was no requirement for a contamination study to be carried out. Councillors heard it was for the contractors to carry out their own risk assessments, prompting committee chairman, Cllr Brian Ellis, to comment: “Provided the users of the land are not affected by any contamination, it is only the contractors who have to worry.” However, the committee voted to approve the scheme.